FAQs
Everything you need to know about our handcrafted wood-fired pizza ovens.
Where are our Horácio 1945 pizza ovens made?
Our wood fired pizza ovens are hand crafted on the outskirts of the beautiful Amarante, Portugal. Following traditional techniques inspired by generations of skilled artisans. We bring them into Australia and deliver nation wide.
Are your pizza ovens ready made or kit ovens?
All our ovens are fully hand made ready to cure and cook, no construction or setup required. Our team has generations of experience constructing wood fired Pizza Ovens, an art and skill that takes time and is perfected over many years with patience and skill refinement.
Which Pizza Oven is right for me?
First let's discuss our Stella & Brick Pro wood fired Pizza Ovens. These are best in market ovens; truly amazing quality, heat retention, size and aesthetics, you can simply purchase the one you are most drawn to and enjoy decades of delicious wood fired meals with your family and friends. Both ovens are the perfect size for domestic and commercial applications, they will cook multiple pizzas at one time or multiple roasting trays at one time, enough for the family and hosting gatherings and more.
Our Stella & Brick Pro pizza ovens are the same size externally (110cm x 110cm) and similar size internally, both will cook exceptionally well, smoking, baking, roasting, pizza's and more. There are two functional differences between the Stella and Brick Pro.
1. Whilst both can be used for rotisserie cooking the Stella performs better with its built in rotisserie function. On the door of the Stella is the centre knob which opens and inserts a rotisserie rod (which we sell), you can cook a large rotisserie with the 100cm rod and simply rotate it. The Brick Pro has a rotisserie tray as an available accessory which will cook a small rotisserie.
2. The flue position of the Stella is inside the chamber, a dampener is located on the outlet which can be closed to retain heat or smoke foods. The flue position of the Brick Pro is on the entrance of the oven, therefore when the door is fully in position the flue is not active and the cooking chamber is sealed, you control the airflow and smoking by leaving the door ajar or removing it all together.
Our Piku wood fired oven is our cute little sibling. It is our portable and bench top offering. Small enough to be placed on suitable bench tops and stands, perfect for smaller spaces or for those that only need a smaller oven. The cooking chamber can cook one pizza at a time or one smaller roasting tray. We love the Piku for its aesthetics and size, perfect for small spaces, simple cooking, air B&B's or a simple weekend cooking.
Our Custom Builds are available for those looking for something specific in size or style to their project. We offer a near endless array of styles, sizes, colours and finishes. The quality like all our ovens is exceptional. If you want something made to a particular size or colour or finish then a custom build we be best for you. All are welcome to enquire including landscapers, builders, designers and other trade professionals. We have a great trade partnership program.
Is a wood fired pizza oven better than a gas pizza oven?
Our personal opinion, absolutely! Nothing can replace the true and authentic taste of wood fired cooking, that rich taste that only live wood fired burning, with a hint of smoke can provide. Wood fired cooking and ovens are centuries old, we are privileged to be apart of that tradition and history. With passion we provide a far greater alternative to the modern era of microwave meals and ordering food from your phone. We align with the centuries old tradition of slowing down with intentionality, lighting a fire, caring and attending to your oven as it provides you the heat to cook some of the best meals you will eat, enjoyed gathering with your loved ones.
The added bonus is that Wood Fired Ovens are completely off grid, you do not need an electrical or gas connection, simply some suitable timber is all you need to provide wood fired meals to your loved ones.
What type of wood do I use in my pizza oven?
When starting your oven you can use any kindling available, weather around the home or in your area will be fine. Once the fire is started begin to incorporate and then solely use/burn quality hard woods like red gum, iron bark, yellow box and such hardwoods. We use hardwoods like these as they burn longer, holding a higher heat for longer whilst providing great flavour. Your local garden supplier or fire place timber supplier will likely have appropriate timber, just ask them for timber for your pizza oven ensuring it is a hardwood like those listed above.
There are also providers that will deliver pizza oven sized hardwoods to your door, often in a wheelie bin which is convenient.
Contact us with any questions or for assistance in connecting to supplier in your area.
TIP: we find having a box of kindling ready to go with small and slightly larger pieces of kindling, then a stack of hardwood ready to go is best and provides efficiency in starting the firing and heat up process.
Note: It is best to not burn pallets and such timbers that may have been heat treated for bugs and such things in shipping and transport. The pallet your oven travels in is not appropriate for burning in your oven.
What materials are used in the pizza ovens?
All our pizza ovens are made with natural, locally sourced materials. Our materials are selected drawing from our decades of experience and partnerships in the industry, ensuring each wood fired oven is made with the highest quality materials available.
All our ovens include refractory clay or refractory brick in their core. Layers of insulation & expansion clay for thermal conductivity and with outer finishing layers of coloured projected cork or locally sourced stone finishes. Built for heat retention, cooking performance and longevity.
What are the delivery options?
We have a few delivery options available, you can see them with pricing in the checkout once you select your oven, and or you can contact us to discuss further.
The first delivery option is Depot Collect, this is the cheeper of the delivery options as we simply delivery from our warehouse to a freight partners depot in your area where you will pickup with a suitable car, ute, truck or trailer. We have freight partners Australia wide so you should find one in the checkout loaded close to your home or business. At pickup our freight partners will assist you in loading your oven onto your vehicle.
The next delivery option is residential delivery. For this option we or one of our freight partners will deliver your order to your home. Placing your oven (traveling on a pallet) in your driveway, shed, carport etc, whichever is practical and best suited. Residential delivery does not include installing your oven/ placing your oven onto your stand or bench.
Whist installation is simple with the correct equipment we have installation partners around the country who can assist with the installation / placing of the oven onto your bench or stand - see the installation FAQ or contact us to discuss.
How do I install my pizza oven?
The Stella, Brick Pro & Custom Builds have removable i bolts on all 4 corners, these are utilised to simple attach slings to and lift your oven into position. The require equipment to do the heavy lifting. Engine hoists and gantries are often used and can be rented at equipment rental providers like kennards and coyts. Machinery like excavators, forklifts, tractors, small or large crane trucks, track crawlers and more are utilised also for Instalations.
You are most welcome to contact us and we can assist in which installation method is best for your property and placement, and if you need additional assistance we can connect you with an installation partner in your area.
Please note: The Piku ovens do not require equipment for installation, they have slide out lifting handles which can be used with 2,3 or 4 people to simply lift your oven into position. All our other ovens are much larger and cannot be lifted with people power.
Do you offer installation services?
Yes, we offer installation services. With years of experience in the industry we have gathered a large database of installation partners Australia wide.
Whilst it is easy to install the ovens with the correct equipment yourself some situations need more assistance or machinery, and we are here to help connect you with the correct professionals to help.
Instalations require connecting slings to the 4 lifting bolts on all 4 corners of the oven and then lifting and placing the oven onto the bench. The oven can be lifted using engine hoists, tractors, excavators, gantries, forklifts, crane trucks and more.
It is an efficient process, you can have your oven installed and begin curing within a few hours.
Note: The Piku ovens require no equipment to instal - they have slide out lifting handles and can be lifted and installed easily with a few helping hands. The Stella & Brick Pro ovens are much larger and heavier and cannot be lifted, even by your gym junkie cousin.
Can I build my own bench for the oven?
Yes, absolutely. Many customers choose to build their own bench to suit their outdoor space and design preferences. Your footings and ground must be flat, smooth, and strong enough to support both the bench and the oven long term.
A 100mm concrete slab with footings is recommended to provide a stable and durable foundation.
Do you sell a stand for the pizza ovens to sit on?
Yes, we have stands available for all of our ovens. On the product pages you will see the option of adding a stand to the cart where you can purchase one.
Our Australian Made Stands are made specifically for our ovens, fitting perfectly. Made from heavy duty galvanised steel and powder coated satin black. The stand includes the top where the oven will sit and the lower bars where you can store wood / wood boxes. We include bolt pads under the feet which can be adjusted to ensure the stand is level prior to placing the oven on top. They are exceptionally well made, with a very nice finish. Enjoy!
How many pizza's or roasting dishes fit inside the pizza ovens?
Stella:
Pizza: 4-5.
Roasting dish: 4-5.
Rotisserie: 100cm rotisserie rod
Bric Pro:
Pizza: 3-4.
Roasting dish: 3
Piku:
Pizza: 1.
Roasting dish: 1